Abstract:
A method of securing a pipe (12) in a seabed comprises digging a trench (13) in the seabed; laying the pipe and a textile tube (30) in the trench; filling the textile tube (30) with materials from the seabed (14); and draining water from the textile tube as it is filled and wherein the textile tube (30) sits at least partially on top of the pipe (12).
Abstract:
A mobile apparatus for trenching a pipeline laid under water includes a mobile base station such as a barge (1), a soil breaker (4) for breaking up soil adjacent to the pipeline, the soil breaker being connected to the mobile base station (1), one or more dredging units (5A to 5C) connected to the mobile base station for removing soil broken up by the soil breaker from under the pipeline (7) and conveying away the soil mixed with water to form a trench, and a backfilling unit (6) connected to the mobile base station (1) for receiving soil removed by the one or more dredging units (5A to 5C) and conveying the soil into the trench to cover over the pipeline (7).
Abstract:
An apparatus for forming a trench in a seabed for burying a line generally consisting of a main frame, at least one buoyancy tank mounted on the main frame, a pair of endless track assemblies, each engageable in gripping relation with a side of the line for propelling the frame along the line, a pair of jet legs mounted on the main frame and communicable with a source of fluid under pressure, for ejecting high velocity streams of fluid to dislodge portions of the seabed when the track assemblies grip the line and propel the main frame along the line to form a trench and allow the line to fall therein.
Abstract:
A machine for underwater trenching for pipelines in which a sled (1) comprising two pipe loops (2) arranged in vertical planes at opposite sides of the pipeline (4) and interconnected by transverse pipes (3) is supported on and guided for movement along the pipeline by rubber-faced rollers (6, 7, 8, 9). High pressure water is supplied to the loops through connection (20). Nozzles (18) in the front vertical runs of the loops (2) break up the soil in the face of the trench (5). Nozzles (15) of water jet pumps suck soil from the trench through the forwardly facing inlets (11), adjacent the bottom of the sled, of two eductor tubes (10) carried by the loops (2) at opposite sides of the pipeline, and discharge it through discharge outlets (14) directed respectively outwardly sideways and mainly rearwardly of the sled. The water and soil discharge produces a reaction which propels the sled forwards.
Abstract:
Trenching assembly (1) for laying in a trench dug in a bed with uneven bathymetry a continuous pipeline (2), said continuous pipeline (2) being suitable for being buried in said trench, said trench extending predominantly along a longitudinal direction (X-X), said trenching assembly (1) comprising a trench digging device (10), comprising: a main body (12); at least four ground contact units (32), wherein each ground contact unit (32) comprises at least one height adjustment device (34), suitable for affecting at least the position of each ground contact unit (32) with respect to said main body (12) independently; at least one trench cutting tool (30), suitable for digging in said bed (4) to obtain said trench, wherein said trench cutting tool (30) comprising a cutting depth adjustment device (38), suitable for affecting the position of said cutting tool (30) with respect to said main body (12); said trenching assembly (1) comprising at least one detection device (20), suitable for detecting, during the excavation, the bathymetry of the bed (4); said trenching assembly (1) comprising at least one control device, suitable for simultaneously allowing the cooperation between at least: said detection device (20), and said height adjustment device (34) of each of said ground contact units (32), and said cutting depth adjustment device (38); said trenching assembly (1) comprising a command device, said command device cooperating with said control device to affect said height adjustment device (34) of each di said ground contact units (32) and of said cutting depth adjustment device (38), so as to obtain said trench having a height difference along the longitudinal direction (X-X) lower than a predefined tolerance and having a predetermined burial depth.
Abstract:
An underwater trenching apparatus comprises at least one trenching tool; a lifting attachment point configured for attachment of a lifting means for lowering the trenching apparatus to, or raising the trenching apparatus from, its location of operation; at least two steerable endless track units for transmitting tractive effort to move the underwater trenching apparatus in use; and for each steerable endless track unit, a first mounting arrangement permitting rotation of the track unit about a vertical axis, and a first actuator configured to move the track unit about the vertical axis, and control means configured to control the action of the actuator. In alternative forms, in addition to, or alternative to the steerable endless track units, the apparatus includes height adjustment means for adjusting the vertical spacing between the main body portion and the respective endless tracks; and control means configured to control the action of the height adjustment means.
Abstract:
The invention relates to a submersible vehicle (1), in particular a so-called ROV, for manoeuvring a fall pipe for dumping rocks on or near subsea installations, such as pipelines, comprising a frame(2), hoisting and control cables (3) for suspending thevehicle from a surface vessel, propulsion means (4), and a channel (10a, 10b) for accommodating the end of a fall pipe or forming the end of a fall pipe. A mass flow generator (15, 17) is releasably mounted in said channel.
Abstract:
A mobile apparatus for trenching a pipeline laid under water includes a mobile base station such as a barge (1), a soil breaker (4) for breaking up soil adjacent to the pipeline, the soil breaker being connected to the mobile base station (1), one or more dredging units (5A to 5C) connected to the mobile base station for removing soil broken up by the soil breaker from under the pipeline (7) and conveying away the soil mixed with water to form a trench, and a backfilling unit (6) connected to the mobile base station (1) for receiving soil removed by the one or more dredging units (5A to 5C) and conveying the soil into the trench to cover over the pipeline (7).
Abstract:
A method of forming a trench at sea on the seabed comprising the steps of providing an ROV (remotely operable vehicle) (2) capable of being operated underwater, providing a separate trenching skid (1) removably connectable to the ROV (2), connecting the trenching skid (1), possibly via an interface skid (3), to the ROV to form an operative trenching system (1, 2, 3), the connection being capable of being made while the trenching skid (1) is on the seabed, and operating the trenching system to form a trench underwater. The ROV (2) may be able to support the entire weight in water of the trenching system (1, 2, 3).
Abstract:
Device for laying underwater cables (6) comprising a habitable vehicle (3) provided with propulsion means (14, 32) for moving on the sea bottom and digging means for digging out a trench (9). The feeding and guiding system (8) receives the cable (6) and lays it into the trench. It comprises motor rollers (26) of which the speed is servo-controlled to the progression speed. It is hinged at (19) to the vehicle and operable by a jack (21) to give the cable (6) a predetermined tension. The excavated materials are sucked into the excavation wheel (37) and discharged through a conduit (54) and a hopper (55) to bankfill the trench. Application to laying underwater cables and any flexible structures of the same type such as pipes.